Headlines

UK to allow quarantine-free travel with nearly 60 countries — but not the U.S.

Senate Republicans cool to 2nd round of stimulus checks, direct deposits

U.s. Attorney says there are 150 federal cases tied to riots

National parks are latest target of systemic racism claim in America

Judiciary Committee to interview Manhattan federal prosecutor ousted by Barr

Surgeon general stops short of warning people to avoid crowds on Fourth of July

Protesters to storm D.C. over Independence Day weekend

Poll: 7 in 10 ‘angry’ about ‘state of the country’

Florida hits new COVID-19 record ahead of Pence visit

Experts fear the end of eviction moratoriums could plunge thousands of people into homelessness

Texas Gov. Abbott establishes mask mandate for entire state

Poll: Most Liberals say Americans are too lazy to work

A Cool Head

I realize it is not cool to have a cool head amongst all the boiling-hot emotion surrounding the George Floyd henious murder in Minneapolis recently. But, that’s who I am and I must live with it.

To summarize my uncool cool-headed thoughts:

- There is no question that George Floyd was murdered by Derek Chauvin in a particularly grisly and unforgivable way ... as the whole world could see from multiple bystander videos ... and that they have concluded that this murder was racially motivated.

- Because these two men knew each other for a year or more ... and because one of the other three policemen there was black ... there is reason to suspect that the motive for this murder could have been other than racial animus. We may never know this until Chauvin’s trial many months from now ... if ever.

- But the initial reaction of the Minneapolis police department and legal authorities there was suspiciously wrong-headed ... trying to minimize Chauvin’s culpability ... again fanning the flames of injustice.

- Be that as it may, the general perception that this was a racial incident has reopened this societal wound ... causing an enormous emotional outpouring determined to remedy prejudice against blacks once and for all ... particularly in law enforcement ... clearly a just cause ... which has resulted in mass demonstrations.

- Early on, these peaceful protests were hijacked by politically-motivated riots, opportunistic looting and misguided hot-headed anarchists ... which unfortunately besmirched the purpose of these demonstrations ... creating the cultural and political divide in which we now find ourselves immersed ... and motivating many solutions.

- Some of these solutions are obviously unworkable ... trying to either eliminate police departments entirely ... or severely limit their ability to enforce the laws (such as “taking a knee” in front of protesters) ... many of which, if enacted, will not produce happy results ... particularly within minority communities.

Bottom line: Societies seem to need to engage in such hot-headed group catharses periodically. I can’t find my way to participate ... for which I most likely will be burned at the stake.

Headlines

German court ruling could tear EU apart, warns senior judge

NFL condemns racism, says ‘we were wrong’ not listening to player protests

National Guard told NOT to carry guns ...

Poll: More people blame protesters for violence than police

Facebook, Instagram join Twitter in removing Trump campaign videos over copyright complaints

Job gains narrow the White House vision for coronavirus relief, but Dems still want to go big

Looters in $350,000 Rolls Royce rob again ...

Nolte: Polls show Trump’s re-election numbers trending the wrong way

D.C. government dubs intersection where police cleared peaceful protesters ‘Black Lives Matter Plaza’

Denver police ordered to stop using tear gas an plastic bullies In protests

Republican senator berates President, compares him to Hillary ...

Democrat senators kneel during moment of silence for George Floyd

Headlines

Trump says he told Navy to ‘destroy’ Iranian boats harassing U.S. ships

Trump and Biden are deadlocked in six key 2020 election states, CNBC/Change Research poll finds

USA: Virus kills 45,236, doubling in a little over a week ...

Northham: Protesters ‘so selfish’ for endangering healthcare workers

2019 was Europe’s warmest year ever recorded

Coronavirus live updates: Accuracy of coronavirus antibody tests questioned, Delta burning $100 million a day

HYDRO-DON’T: No benefit from malaria drug ...

Scalise: Sickening to watch Pelosi use small-business aid as leverage

McConnell slams breaks on next round of coronavirus aid

Kudlow voices support for shielding companies from coronavirus -related lawsuits

California cases rising ... NJ deaths hit high ...

Indonesia to ban Ramadan celebrations

Courage

One by one the leaders of the Hong Kong protests vanish in the night ... never to be seen again. Yet still they come ... fighting a battle they can not win. Such is courage!

George Soros

My wife, comparing the size of Trump's Kansas crowd last night to the Kavanaugh protesters in DC: "Even with all his billions, George Soros wouldn't have enough money to pay his AstroTurf fees to all the many supporters that Trump draws at his many rallies for free."

Headlines

Trump falsely claims he never told the House Republicans to vote for the immigration bill

Iran urges OPEC members to refrain from unilateral actions

Portland riots: ANTIFA attacks right-wing activists ...

Twitter bans cancer victim for replying rudely to a hate tweet

Senate Democrats demand Supreme Court nominee not be too influenced by U.S. Constitution

Protesters flood cities to rail against Trump immigration policies

LONDONSTAN: [Mayor] Khan called 'jihadist' by Tommy Robinson supporters

Maher: Trump will still be in the White House even if he loses 2020 election

Poll of Puerto Ricans in Florida show that Scott is better liked than Nelson

Retaliation for tariffs on Canada take place Sunday-- and focus on ketchup, whiskey and soup

9 injured in mass stabbings at Idaho apartment complex ...

[David] Brooks: No 'massive overturn of Roe v.Wade'

Headlines

All from Internet news sites. Guess which ones from Politicos?

Trump blindsided by implosion of GOP health care bill

Trump, McConnell, Pence call for full, complete repeal of Obamacare

Buchanan: The real crime is collusion between media, leakers

Graham says McCain getting 'forgetful' ...

Trump administration will certify Iran still complying with nuclear deal

DC Berger chain offers free nothingburgers

Shock poll: 4 in 10 [Americans] favor impeachment

OUT magazine encourages readers to drop gay Republican friends

Trump fights demand he testify in ejected protesters suit

London mayor reiterates his objection to Trump's UK trip

Nolan's 'Dunkirk' hailed as masterpiece

Oregon bill designates heroin, cocaine use use a misdemeanor ...

Wrinkles

Qualcomm announced today that it was acquiring NXP Semiconductor for $38 billion ... based upon its expectations of the growth of autonomous car technology. And many other companies are crowding into this end-user field, Tesla, Google, Bosch, etc. The expectations for the future of driverless cars, trucks, buses are dramatic and, I think, frothy. I have outlined my Luddite concerns in the past ... see: More on Driverless Cars, Google Strudle and Boiloing the Ocean.

I, personally, am not ready anytime soon to surrender my steering wheel and control pedals for many reasons. I have thought some more on this issue and have come up with a few more possibly serious wrinkles for the AI algorithms controlling driverless cars to deal with. Here are just a few more:

- Hand or spoken directions from flag men, crossing guards or policemen during various street or road restrictions

- What about drive-thru fast food and car washes .. or service stations?

- Any noises requiring a driver response -- honking horns, screeching tires, shouts, sirens, etc.

- Traffic merging situation where the gestures of the other driver(s) determine your actions

- Maneuvering around or through live traffic accident situations

- Dealing with car chase situations ... of which every one will be unique

- Driving between countries were the rules of the road and signage are different

- Dealing with extremely aggressive other drivers who might be performing foolish or hostile actions

- Anticipating the possible rash actions of children, mentally-ill people, motorcycles, protesters, etc.

- Dealing with weather extremes -- black ice, pea-soup fog, very high winds, floods, etc.

- Driving adjustments necessary for unique events -- funerals, road races, "walks for ...", etc.


There are likely many more. Thus, I think I'll be the last in line for this technology.

Better than 1000 Words

Global Warming Protesters

G20

The G20 economic summit is meeting tomorrow in London and there are considerable protestations … marching, breaking windows and invading buildings. Here is a sample of the kind of demonstrations that are taking place. But, there is one problem. It is Socialism and Communism that means not working. But, Capitalism means working your tuckus off. Somebody should really clue these radicals in. By the bye, I wonder how many of these extremists have real jobs?